The rookie linebacker, talking football with reporters Tuesday, was asked what it's like to defend Gates.

Te'o semi-grimaced and exhaled an ohhh.

"It’s very difficult," he said. "With Antonio Gates, not only does he run crisp routes, he changes it up on you. He changes his get-offs. He changes the way he comes out of his breaks."

Te'o was speaking with reporters at Chargers Park for the first time in a month. He'd been off limits since after his first day of rookie mini camp, per the Mike McCoy-led decision.

Te'o wore a bracelet that read, "Every day with joy!"

The 22-year-old seemed at ease throughout the chat, as in his other three media sessions. He looked reporters in the eyes. He came off as patient and centered.

Whenever he's been asked about the fake girlfriend scandal -- a subject that's so tired it's asleep -- he has said he learned from it. Those questions, while dwindling in number, are pure nonsense at this stage. Months ago, they were overcooked. Te'o has covered that ground several times over. Some athletes may need protection from the media. I don't think it's necessary for Te'o. He handles himself better than many veterans.

Tuesday, he touched on several subjects:

• The media blackout.

"The plan was for me to focus on football and focus on getting my head in the playbook, and just try to make that transition as quickly as possible, and I definitely have reaped the benefits of that," he said. "I’m thankful that I’ve had the time to just focus on the plays and just focus on what goes on on the field."

• Meeting with Chargers fans on Monday.

"My group got to go to Legoland," he said. "That was my first time into Legoland.

"I think for the first time as a rookie, I got to see how much this community really loves their team, really supports their team," he said. "For me to see that it’s definitely a great experience, for all of us but me especially."

• The Hollywood party he attended last month.

The party was hosted by a magazine that had spoofed the fake girlfriend scandal; attending, Te'o said, wasn't about showing he can laugh at himself, as many had guessed. "That was just me being a 22-year-old being invited to a little event and saying, 'OK, let’s check it out,' " he said. "I just went with a couple of my friends. We just chilled and had a good time.

• NFL versus college.

"Everything is about technique," he said. "The speed, there are guys that are faster (here). But for the most part, speed isn’t the biggest difference. It’s how everybody’s just technically sound. For young guys, you’ve just got to learn. You can’t just run off blocks. You can’t just run through a hole. It’s those guys that are great at this game that have mastered those little things."